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Meetings: All meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month (excluding December); General Meetings at Leongatha Community House, 16 Bruce Street, Leongatha and alternating with Activity Planning Meetings and dinner at venues to be announced.
Activity Planning Meeting: March 23 at Meeniyan Hotel - 6:30pm
General Meeting: Thursday April 27, Leongatha Community House at 8:00pm
President’s Report
It’s great to see so many varied activities on the programme. It would be good to have some members who haven’t put an event on before step forward and organize one. If you have an idea about an event and want some help to organize it I’d be happy to help.
It is good to hear that Paul Chisholm, a long time member who has done a lot for and with the club is on the road to recovery. We all wish you well Paul.
Les
Activity Reports
Daylston Pub Walk
 On Sunday 5th Feb. Judy, Sandra, Heather, Val, Joy and our new member Roseanne set out from Wonthaggi for the Daylston pub where we planned to meet cyclists George, Ian, Charlie and Les for tea. All went well for a little while until the heavens opened. Still we soldiered on as good bushwalkers do. The rain stopped enough for us to stop dripping. We arrived to find the boys waiting for us, along with Meg and Val's Ian. The pub turned into be a very convivial spot with good food and good company. A good time had by all in spite of being a bit damp.
Joy
Blue Pools/Quarry Camping Site - February 8-9
 On Wednesday after all arrived and had lunch, we went to Blue Pools for activities.
The Pool area was very attractive with bushy hills, sandstone rocks and deep cool water holes.
While the walkers trooped off into the bush, Roz and I-fed the March flies. We declined the inclination to swing out like the youngsters on a rope and fall into the water nor did we do back
flips from high up on rock tops like ‘show offs’.
A couple of hours later the walkers returned from their mini Kakoda Trail walk, some with faces beetroot red, which would have been very handy as beacons for helicopters to spot, if they
were lost. As the walkers groped, fell and staggered into the water, sizzling
and steaming, in a demented mess, I felt a little guilty to have had such a pleasant afternoon... (as if)
 After their temperatures decreased, we returned to camp and went to the Briagolong Pub and enjoyed a great meal and evening out. Our Quarry camp site in the tall trees and bush was spacious and a relaxing place to stay.
The men were treated to a topless lady sunbaker at the camp, bad luck she turned out to be a dried out withered bag of bones on their closer observation. I heard a few Yuk Yuk’s.
Thursday morning most of the party went for a short early morning bike ride and when they returned we had our own private pool party and swim, amongst the two pools at the Quarry. What a great spot!
 After stuffing ourselves with Heather and Val’s home cooked cakes most of us departed for home. Considering the heat of the two days, I feel Kerry did a great job to make the event such an
enjoyable one, with something for everyone. Two great days camping at Blue Pools, near Briagalong. Thanks to Kerry for a great trip away
vVry well summarised by Kaye.
Shearwaters at Cape Woolamai
 What an amazing sight - hundreds of shearwaters flying in from a day’s feeding out at sea to find their chicks in their nests on the cliff top.
After a short stroll along the beach at Cape Woolamai just before dusk on a perfectly still February evening, a group of 17 of us led by Charlie climbed the steps to the cliff top track. From here we watched as the sun set over the sea and the full moon came up. And as dusk fell these amazing birds began flying up from the sea, gradually gaining height as they flew above us in an elliptical flight path. They continued to circle and once above the cliff they gradually circled lower and lower until they reached the ground and scurried along to their burrows, with the sound of hundreds of chicks chirping in the background.
 We wondered just how each bird found their particular burrow and chick. Another wonder of nature! We then walked back in the dark to the car park, stepping carefully around some shearwater adults on the track still seeking out their burrows.
We all agreed we had seen a wonderful sight. Thanks to Charlie for organizing this event and for his knowledge of the life and incredible flight patterns of these amazing birds. I’m sure more of us will want to see this again next year.
Gayle McHarg
Forthcoming Events
Pizza/Pasta Night
Just a reminder about the Pasta/pizza night on March 18th
I need to know ASAP if you intend to come.
$40 pp with proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Please contact Josie on 0400 039 918
Paddle - Loch Sport area - March 15-17
Meeting 12 midday at Seacombe, to paddle McLennan Straight to Hollands Landing & return
Drive to Loch sport for 2 x nights at Caravan Park, Evening meal Hotel or BYO?
Thurs, take water & lunch & mozzi. Repellent, drive approx. 20 minutes slow gravel road thru National park to Sperm Whale head - Trapper Point. Paddle around Rotamah Island & investigate Lake Reeve?
Friday - Paddle negotiable,? Maybe drive back to Sale to Latrobe River to Lake Wellington? Drive home.
Note that Loch Sport is a mosquito capital! Need repellent, & program is subject to change according to weather.
Contact Roz Spratt 56642358
Walk the Walk: Great Southern Rail Trail - Leongatha to Welshpool May 16-19
The walk plan is to walk:
Leongatha to Meeniyan - 16 km
Meeniyan to Fish Creek - 18.3 km
Fish Creek to Toora - 22.6 km
Toora to Port Welshpool and return to Welshpool - 20.2 km
Accommodation options
I have done a recce run for the following accommodation and our dates are free with a variety of
room configurations available at this stage. All the accommodation can be either booked on line or
directly by phone if you want to discuss the booking with the owners. Toora is the only town with
a caravan park/cabin alternative to a motel.
Meeniyan - Motel - website - www.meeniyanmotel.com.au phone 5664 0030.
Has 2 bedroom family room that sleeps six with full kitchen facilities.
Fish Creek Hotel - website - www.fishcreekhotel.com.au phone 5683 2404.
Has choice of renovated hotel rooms with shared bathroom or motel style with ensuite. Also has family rooms with single beds and bunks in the motel.
Toora - a choice of Tourist Park or Motel.
Tooralodge Motel - website - www.tooralodgemotel.com.au phone 5686 2104.
Has family room option. Note this one has a 10% cancellation fee on any booking and total
required from 5 days prior.
Toora Tourist Park - website - www.tooratouristpark.com.au phone 5686 2257.
Has a variety of cabin configurations.
It would help with overall organisation if you could let me know soon if you intend coming.
(preferably by email) Things to consider are the option of room sharing where family rooms are
available, the possibility of booking out a small café for the evening meal on 18th May, and
transport of luggage between towns.
Climb Mt Oberon - Sunday 12th March
The plan is to leave Fish Creek at 5pm.
Climb to the top of Mt Oberon to see the moon rise at 7:70pm and then watch the sunset a few minutes later.
Take a picnic tea and a head torch.
Contact Charlie Gilliam on 0427 563 996
SGWAAC General Meeting 23/2/17 - Financial Report
| Balance at 25/8/16 | | | $4814.28 |
| Plus Receipts | | | |
| Memberships 2016/2017 | 447.00 | | |
| Sale 1st Aid supplies | | 112.00 | |
| Refunds | 45.00 | | |
| | | $614.00 |
| | | $5428.28 |
| Less Payments | | | |
| Advertising | 26.84 | | |
| Rent | 60.00 | | |
| Consumer Affairs (2 years) | 110.5 | | |
| Refund subs double payment | 45.00 | | |
| Purchase Trailer | 1279.00 | | $1521.04 |
| Balance at 12/2/17 | | | #3907.24 |
Note:Estimated cost of completion of trailer fit-out is a further $1200
Bushwalking Tips - Hiking in Hot Weather
- Pick the right trail. Plan ahead. Considerations include : forecast temperature(s) Shade, water, altitude, strenuousness of the route, length of route.
- Start early in the day - perhaps at dawn. Take it easy. Be aware of the hottest times of the day for the area in which you are walking. If you are going to climb, try to arrange your walk so you do that in the coolest part of the day.
- Cover up. Shield as much of your body as possible from the sun. Wear loose fitting, lightweight, breathable clothing. Protect your eyes. Protect the top of your head. Use sunscreen.
- Hydrate and stay hydrated. Hiking in hot weather more than doubles the amount of water you need. The Bushwalking Victoria Facebook page includes 7 tips for staying hydrated.
- Stay salty. Remember to rebalance those electrolytes so you don’t run out of energy.
- Rest more often. Rest in shade wherever possible to give your sweat time to evaporate and cool your body. Never miss a chance to go swimming.
- Wear appropriate footwear - shoes/boots that are as light as possible commensurate with the track/pack weight requirements. Carry extra socks so that you can change socks to cool sweaty feet and reduce the risk of blisters.
- Know the sign of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. At first signs, stop and find some shade and try to down ASAP. Start planning how to get off the track and to medical attention. Don’t hesitate to call 000 if necessary.
Reprinted from Bushwalking News Victoria. Issue 276, February 2017, Victoria
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